Dental Emergencies

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2019 Feb;37(1):81-93. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2018.09.008.

Abstract

Dental emergencies present frequently to the emergency department and urgent care centers. Trauma to the teeth includes fractures, luxations, and avulsions, which can be reduced in most cases. Avulsed primary teeth should never be replaced. Mouthguards should be worn in most youth sports to prevent many dental injuries. Dental caries can progress to worsening infection and should be diagnosed and promptly referred. More severe infections may require antibiotics, imaging, or incision and drainage. Dental blocks can assist with analgesia and patient comfort during other procedures.

Keywords: Dental blocks; Dental fractures; Dental infections; Tooth avulsion and luxation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Emergencies
  • Focal Infection, Dental / diagnosis
  • Focal Infection, Dental / therapy
  • Humans
  • Mouth / injuries
  • Oral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Pain / etiology
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / pathology
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / therapy
  • Tooth Avulsion / diagnosis
  • Tooth Avulsion / therapy
  • Tooth Injuries / diagnosis
  • Tooth Injuries / therapy